Research Support Professional – CISE
Last updated: May 19, 2026, 4:45 p.m.
Posting period: 19 May 2026 to 2 June 2026
Anticipated Contract Start Date: 8 June 2026
Anticipated Contract End Date: 8 June 2027
Salary: $27.03 - $46.79 per hour, commensurate with relevant work experience and education
Hours per week: 35
Position title: RESEARCH SUPPORT‐PROFESSIONAL
Department: Cybersecurity and Intelligent Systems Engineering
PI or Immediate supervisor: Zachary Patterson
Job description
Reporting to Zachary Patterson, the successful candidate will develop a full-stack solution for a smartphone travel survey platform.
Primary responsibilities
Development of:
The STACK (accurate, not generic)
Core
- JavaScript / TypeScript (expert-level)
- Node.js
- Next.js 14 (SSR + App Router)
Frontend
- React
- Leaflet (maps)
- Custom animation systems (no libs reliance)
Backend
- Express / Next API routes
- PostgreSQL (Neon + Docker)
Data Processing
- Web Workers (parallel computing)
- Streaming parsers (CSV)
- Custom grouping + similarity algorithms
Mobile Application
- Flutter (Dart)
ML
- TensorFlow.js
- ml-random-forest
Security / Middleware (your differentiator)
- Custom layered middleware architecture
- Token validation systems
- Anti-bot / abuse detection logic
- Behavioral validation pipelines
Infra
- Vercel
- Docker
- GitHub Actions
Details of STACK
1. End-to-End JavaScript System Architecture
- Designed full platform using:
- Next.js 14 (SSR + dynamic rendering)
- Node.js APIs
- PostgreSQL (Neon + local Docker)
- Managed full lifecycle:
- data collection → processing → visualization → decision systems
2. Custom Middleware Security Architecture
- Layered middleware for:
- request validation
- anti-bot detection
- behavioral filtering
- reward abuse prevention
- Token-based authentication for persistent data streams
- Multi-layer defense strategy for unique user authentication
3. Geospatial Data Processing & Algorithms
- Solution will be able to process 20M+ GPS points and undertake:
- Trip grouping systems
- Route classification (green / yellow / delayed)
- spatial clustering
- anomaly detection (traffic, reroutes)
4. High-Performance JavaScript Processing
Solution will include:
- Web Workers (max CPU usage via navigator.hardwareConcurrency)
- Parallel processing for heavy computations
- Optimization:
- CSV streaming (avoiding memory crashes)
- large dataset processing (Node heap tuning)
5. Sophisticated Frontend Systems
Solution will include:
- Real-time map visualizations (Leaflet)
- Complex UI interactions
- Animation systems (custom components, physics-like transitions)
- SDUI engine (Server-Driven UI)
→ dynamic rendering of entire pages from backend configs
6. Mobile Data Platform
Solution will include:
- Flutter app:
- collects GPS + survey data
- integrates chat support
- handles user interaction & data syncing
7. Applied Machine Learning
Solution will include:
- ML pipelines in Node.js (TensorFlow.js + Random Forest)
- Feature engineering (time, speed, demographics)
- class balancing
- model evaluation + export
- Integrated ML into real system (rare)
8. Dynamic Reward & Behavior System
Solution will include:
- Built system that:
- evaluates user eligibility
- prevents abuse
- dynamically assigns rewards
- Integrated with:
- middleware security layers
- behavioral tracking
Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in Software Engineering or Computer Science or equivalent
At least four to ten years of related work experience.
Good spoken and written English and French required. Fluency in English and French is considered a significant asset.
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work independently and in a team environment and to interact effectively with internal and external communities.
Outstanding organizational skills; ability to prioritize work and to perform well under pressure.
Previous work experience in a university environment is an asset.
How to apply
Please send your CV and cover letter to Prof. Zachary Patterson (zachary.patterson@concordia.ca) by the posting end date of 3 June 2026.
This is a position under the CARE union.
“Concordia is a young, forward-looking university. It’s a unique place where experimentation, innovation and creativity are truly valued. Our community of students, faculty, staff and alumni all contribute to our momentum as Canada’s next-gen university.” — Concordia President Graham Carr.
Building on the skills of our faculty and the strengths of Indigenous, local, and global partnerships, we set our sights further and more broadly than others and align the quality of learning opportunities to larger trends and substantial challenges facing society.
Profoundly global, Concordia is recognized for attracting some of the most talented faculty and students from around the world. We are driven by ambition, innovation and a commitment to reconciliation, research and community engagement.
Tiohtià:ke/Montreal is exceptional; safe, vibrant and diverse, with new things to discover around every corner. With a population of 1.7 million, it houses four major universities, several clinical research centres, and has been named the best student city in the world.
Historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations, the city is now home to a diverse population of Indigenous and other peoples, and its residents enjoy the benefits of a thriving multicultural scene. While supporting a significant anglophone population, it is the one of the largest French-speaking cities in the world.
Montreal is famed for its innovative culinary scene and festivals. It was also the first metropolis to be designated a UNESCO City of Design by the Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity. The city is recognized globally as an important centre for commerce, aerospace, transport, finance, pharmaceuticals, technology, design, gaming and film.
Employment Equity
Concordia University is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, and persons with disabilities; candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications.
Immigration Status
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens. While applicants need not identify their country of origin or current citizenship, all applicants must include one of the following statements:
Yes, I am a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
or
No, I am not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
